Fans banned after stewards assaulted and police officer abused at Wycombe match
Two Portsmouth fans have been banned from attending football matches for offences committed at Adams Park.
Robbie Moret, 36 and Matthew Benneyworth, 64, were both handed football banning orders following Wycombe Wanderers match with Portsmouth on March 29.
A court heard how the pair were sitting in the hospitality area and were both loudly supporting Portsmouth so staff asked them to relocate to the away end.
They then refused to move, before Benneyworth assaulted three stewards while being ejected.
Moret was also kicked out and was later found in possession of cocaine before he racially abused a police officer.
READ MORE: High Wycombe High Street assault sees man hospitalised
Moret, of Botley Drive, Havant was given a four-year order at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court today (December 20).
He previously pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug of Class A, namely cocaine, and racially aggravated public order at a hearing on October 25.
Moret was also ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work, undergo 120 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring and pay £250 compensation, £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge.
Benneyworth, of Nutwick Road, Havant admitted three counts of assault by beating on the same date.
He was handed a three-year football banning order and received a three-month sentence suspended for a year and six months.
Benneyworth must complete 260 hours of unpaid work and pay £600 compensation, £85 court costs and a £154 surcharge.
Dedicated football officer PC Jon Evans said: “I welcome the court’s sentencing and imposing of Football Banning Orders on Benneyworth and Moret.
“Benneyworth assaulted three members of Wycombe Wanderers’ security staff who were there to make sure the match was a safe event for all. They should not be expected to be assaulted in the course of their duties.
“Moret racially abused one of our officers after being arrested. Racism is still sadly an issue at some football matches.
“We will never tolerate hate crime in the Thames Valley, and these sentences demonstrates that police will deal robustly with those who offences at football matches.
“The Football Banning Orders will prevent Benneyworth and Moret attending any regulated football matches in the country, travel to the away town or city where Portsmouth or England are playing and they will have to surrender their passport at a police station when England play away”.
Portsmouth won the game 3-1 with goals from Colby Bishop and Christian Saydee despite Matt Butcher's 7th-minute strike.
